Nelson to put on the ritz

The Trafalgar Centre is home to the Nelson Giants, but on Labour Weekend it will host a different kind of ball room.

The glitz and glamour of the New Zealand Open Dancesport Championship will shake, rattle and roll in Nelson this Saturday and Sunday for the first time in the event’s 73-year history.

More than 100 national and international dancing couples of all ages, including 17 from Nelson Tasman, will compete in Ballroom, Latin American, New Vogue and Six, Eight and Ten dance categories for the top gongs.

Solo events and events where a professional will dance with an amateur will also take centre stage.

Local co-ordinator and Nelson Tasman Ballroom dance coach, Paul Mullany, says he was “absolutely delighted” to secure the event’s first dance in the Top of the South by its organiser, the New Zealand Federation of Dance Teachers.

“I put forward the benefits of Nelson’s great accommodation, the great facilities around the Trafalgar Centre and I basically stated that instead of always taking [the championship] to the main centres, why don’t we use the facilities we’ve got for people to come to watch?” he says.

“It’s a good opportunity for people in our neck of the woods to see some fabulous dancing over the Labour Weekend.

“It may also gain more interest in the future for a lot more dancers to participate in competitions around the country once they see all these people in action with the wonderful costumes and their artistry.”

Paul says he and students from his dance lessons company, Quickstep to Dance, are relishing the chance to put their best foot forward on home turf.

“Several of my couples, and some of my colleagues, are quite excited, especially to be able to show off their talent to their own people in Nelson.

“It’s been months of practising, months and months and months.

“Hopefully, we’ll get several hundred spectators coming along. What we would like is a lot of locals to come out and support the event.”

The New Zealand Open Dancesport Championships are on at the Trafalgar Centre this Labour Weekend.

On 26 October, doors open for the morning session at 8am and doors open for the evening session at 6.30pm.

On 27 October, doors open for the morning session at 7.45am and doors open for the evening session at 7pm.

Tickets are available at the door – day only $60 for adults and $25 for under 16s – evening only $45 for adults and $20 for under 16s - $95 for a full day pass.